Podcast Series: Seven Domains of Women's Health

As many as 1 in 4 women will experience bladder-related issues during their lifetime, whether it be an increased frequency or urgency to use the restroom or the leaking of urine. These problems can severely impact a woman’s ability to participate in activities without fear of potential embarrassment. Most of these problems are not “just a fact of getting older,” and there are plenty of treatments out there. Urogynecologist Dr. Carolyn Swenson joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women’s Health to talk about the most common bladder problems women can face and the treatments available to get them back to living their lives.

Humans are the only species that cry emotional tears, and we don't make them until around two months old—around the same time the "social smile" appears. As humans age, we often keep the emotional tears but leave the crying out loud behind. Some cry more than others. Some don't cry at all. Anthropologist Polly Wiessner, actress-turned-reverend Carolyn Swift Jones, and Scot Singpiel and Mitch Sears—hosts of Who Cares About Men's Health?— join this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about why we cry, what it signals to others, and crying's effects and impacts on our health.

Listen to Dr. Jones talk with the Who Cares guys about how emotional availability can improve your life on Who Cares About Men's Health.

Anxiety is defined as an anticipation of a future threat. The physical and emotional signs of anxiety are uncomfortable, and it's a natural human response to avoid uncomfortable things. But most of us have been anxious at one time or another. Feeling anxious is a normal part of living, but some women—and men—have anxiety every day. Psychologist and founder of Honest Sleep, Dr. Brian Curtis joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about diagnosing and managing clinical anxiety.

Why is turning 30 a cultural phenomenon—and, usually, not in a happy way? Evolution tells us women are physiologically prime to be at our peak during our early to mid-thirties. As such, there are often expectations of social milestones such as marriage and raising a family. For some women, turning 30 signifies "the end of youth." Dr. Kirtly Jones discusses the biological and social significance of turning 30 for women, and how the milestone age impacts the seven domains of our lives.

An aging brain heavily impacts all the domains of healthy living. As we grow old, we hope to age with a clear mind. But dementing illnesses can impair our abilities to remember, think, or make decisions, and are unfortunately common among the aging. Medical clinical social worker Liz Garcia-Leavitt joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health—the last in a three-episode discussion on aging—to talk about women's aging brain and how dementing illnesses affect both the patient and their loved ones.

Why do we live long, and why don't we live longer? The aging process is inevitable, but a decline in function in many domains of a woman's health is not inevitable. Our bones, joints, and muscles at age 60 will not be like they were at age 20, but knowing what contributes to the aging process can help us prepare for the aging process. Geriatric gynecologist Dr. Karen Miller joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health—the second in a three-episode discussion on aging—to talk about women's aging bodies, and how to age with a healthy physical body, mind, and soul.

We all age, and we all hope to age gracefully. When you look at the mirror in the morning, what is the face that looks back? Is it a smile or a frown? Are there wrinkles of wisdom? What does the age of your face say about your health? Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Payam Tristani joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health—the first in a three-episode discussion on aging—to talk about our aging face, and how to age with the face that makes you happy.

So often, pain affects how we live our lives and can determine whether the day is good or bad. For 50% of the people on this planet—those born with female parts—the pelvic region can often be a location for a lot of pain. Determining the source of the pain, whether it's acute or chronic, is crucial in its treatment. Dr. Howard Sharp, director of the Women’s Pelvic Care Center at University of Utah Health, joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about pelvic pain.

Sleep is vital to how we function as living creatures. We spend approximately 1/3 of our lives sleeping—some more, some less—but we all sleep. We sleep to recharge and reset our bodies and minds for a new day, and the majority of us will have no problem going to sleep and waking up. However, some might have difficulties falling and staying asleep. Others might experience different states of sleep throughout the night. Neurologist and sleep specialist—and Dr. Kirtly Jones' sleep partner—Dr. Chris Jones joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to discuss the medical science behind sleeping.

Our desire to know about the world around us is an important character strength as humans. Walt Disney once said, "Curiosity keeps us moving forward, exploring, experimenting, opening new doors." Or is it, "Curiosity killed the cat"? Like most everything else, our sense of wonder can affect our overall well-being and should be balanced. Dr. Kirtly Jones discusses how curiosity, or lack thereof, can be a predictor of health.

As a society, we have seen many health crises—smallpox, measles, polio, influenza, and most recently, COVID-19. With viruses and diseases also come vaccinations. But with how much we know, there is still so much we don't know about our immune system. How do vaccines work to protect us against viruses? Where do viruses come from in the first place? Can vaccines weaken our immune system? It's hard to get rid of bad information when you don't have the knowledge needed to make the best decision. Dr. Kirtly Jones discusses the risk-benefit ratio of vaccines as she explores the history of vaccination.

Breathing is a necessity for all living creatures, but when the air we breathe isn't clean, the damage goes beyond the health of our lungs. And it's not just pollution from cars, our BBQs and spray-on sunscreens also contribute to the production of toxic air. So how can we live longer—healthier—lives, and do better for ourselves and future generations? Jonnny Vasic, executive director of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about clean air, inside and out.

We lie a lot. Studies suggest humans tell—on average—10 to 200 lies a day, ranging from little white lies to big lies with major consequences. It's important to think about how lying can affect our health. What happens to the mind and body when a lie is told? Clinical associate professor and family medicine physician Dr. Karly Pippitt join this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about why patients may lie to their doctors, and why doctors may omit information to their patients.

There can be changes in your life that might come after a significant weight loss journey. The reason and manner in which you might have lost weight will vary from person to person, but the weight loss journey doesn't end after the number of the scale does down. Aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Cori Agarwal joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about the changes in body and mind after weight loss.

Grooming your private area is a, well... private matter. Some women may choose to remove unwanted hairs through trimming, shaving, waxing, lasers, and some other methods. Some may choose to leave those hairs entirely alone. All is fine. But, even grooming affects the seven domains of your health. Anthropologist and women’s health nurse practitioner Dr. Katie Ward joins this episode of 7 Domains of Women's Health to talk about the evolution of personal grooming and why women may choose to remove hair down there.